1840 half incorrectly called a 1840 "medium letters"

Barberian

I spotted this 1840 small letters on EBay incorrectly identified as an 1840 "medium letters".

Text

The reverse is shown below...(seller's photo)



I have contacted the seller to inform them of this mistake, but was told that the coin is a "medium letters and as described". This should not be a difficult distinction to make. The easiest way to tell the two apart is to look at the width of the left wing tip. The 1840 small letters has a broad wing tip whereas the 1840 (0) medium letters has a narrow wing tip.

Here is an 1840 small letters aka 1840 reverse of 1839:



Here is an 1840 (O) medium letters aka 1840 (O) reverse of 1838:



I've collected Liberty Seated halves for about 10 years now and have about 200 examples. I obtained all of my '46 and '46-O tall dates, as well as my '40 (O) medium letters off of Ebay where the seller made no distinction as to type. When I encounter '46 medium dates mistakenly called '46 tall dates and '40 small letters mistakenly called '40 medium letters on EBay, it seems like most of the time the dealer disagrees and argues with me. Please chime in with your opinions on this coin.

Boosibri

Yep, you are right.

lkeigwin

For me the easiest distinction between the two is the arrow feathers above LF in HALF.

Lance.

Barberian

Originally posted by: Boosibri
Yep, you are right.

I know I'm right. Why doesn't the seller do a little research and realize I'm right?

lkeigwin

I wrote to the seller and gave him this picture. Maybe it will help.

Lance.

Barberian

Ikeigwin, thanks. I learned a few additional character differences, however, I'm used to distinguishing the two types by the wing tip. It's reliable and works for me.

grip

There is more space below the wings on the small letters. Pretty obvious.

coindeuce

Originally posted by: grip

There is more space below the wings on the small letters. Pretty obvious.

I think you got that backwards. If you meant the space below wingtips, the gap from the bottom of the eagle's left wing (viewing right) to the top arrow shaft on the small letters reverse is much smaller(narrower) than it is on the medium letters reverse. And on the Small Letters reverse, the gap between the lowest olive leaf and the H of HALF is about twice as wide as it is on the Medium Letters reverse.



The eBay seller just couldn't resist attributing their coin to a price, rather than pricing their coin to an (correct) attribution. Greed has no boundaries.

ebaybuyer

the funny thing is he is also selling a small letters rev 1840 half that he's properly attributed.

CelinaCoin

what about 1848 large date half dimes. seems like 95% of those are misattributed on the bourse floor and on eBay.



After a while, ya just ignore it and move on. Can't teach someone who doesn't want to learn.